Wiltshire runner ‘living her best life’ after stoma surgery

Charlie Ryan, 37, says she had a “minefield” of gut diseases but now feels like a “new woman” after having her entire bowel removed during stoma surgery.

The fitness professional initially needed a temporary colostomy – a procedure which created an opening in her abdomen to allow stool to exit her body. 

But after her bowel became perforated through disease, she had the organ removed.

Charlie is a fitness professional from Salisbury (Image: Charlie Ryan/SWNS) Now, she has a permanent stoma and ostomy bag but feels like she’s “living her best life”, despite initial fears.

Charlie said: “I’d describe myself as the strongest and most comfortable I’ve ever been. 

“As a woman, I’ve always had wobbles, but I’ve stepped into this. I’m owning it.”

Charlie was initially diagnosed with ulcerative colitis – a long-term chronic condition where the bowel and rectum become inflamed – at the age of 33.

In early-2020, she was also diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a group of conditions which can cause severe stomach pain or diarrhoea. 

This left her “really poorly” and “in and out of hospital constantly”.

She developed a skin condition called Sweet syndrome, which caused fever and red, raised cysts all over the body, and her joints developed “reactive arthritis”.

Charlie is back running long distances and lifting weights (Image: Charlie Ryan/SWNS) Charlie also suffered malnourishment, which saw her admitted into hospital in May 2024. 

“I was malnourished to the point where my brain was shutting down,” she said. 

“My doctors said I’d need a temporary colostomy to help the inflammation. But I kept going downhill, and after a couple of days, I started being fed through a PICC line.

“I was going to the toilet 40 times a day. By this time, I was in nappies.”

When her bowel became perforated through inflammation during an MRI scan, Charlie underwent an emergency procedure to remove the organ.

This meant she needed a permanent stoma and ostomy bag.

Charlie said: “My gastro doctor told me: ‘In two weeks’ time, you’ll feel amazing.’

“I couldn’t really talk to anyone at the time, because I needed to process everything. But sure enough, soon after the surgery; I was sitting in my garden, amazed at how well I felt.”

Charlie was told she would feel “amazing” after her surgery (Image: Charlie Ryan/SWNS) Despite initial “wobbles” Charlie suffered with changing her ostomy bag, she slowly began taking up activities she couldn’t do before her surgery. 

She set herself small fitness goals, starting off with walking 300 yards to the corner shop and back. Within four months, she was running long distances and lifting weights at the gym. 

In September 2024, she ran a 60-mile race for Crohn’s and Colitis UK. 

With the help of husband Fraser, 38, Charlie says she “made the choice to be enough". 

“Life’s been absolutely amazing,” she said. 

“I would describe myself physically as very strong, and very capable.

“I do feel very comfortable in my own skin. To women who have just had their stoma surgery, I’d say: ‘Let yourself sit in the discomfort.’ It’s only temporary.”